Flow diverting wind tunnel

Abstract

A wind tunnel device is provided herein that enables the wind tunnel to transform between two modes of operation and/or to refresh/recondition air within the tunnel. The wind tunnel device may provide selective diversion of airflow within the wind tunnel. The diversion of airflow may enable the wind tunnel device to include a multi-configurable wind tunnel that can be operated as either an open-return wind tunnel or a closed-return wind tunnel. Additionally, or alternatively, the diversion of airflow may enable the wind tunnel device to recondition air within a closed-return wind tunnel.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A wind tunnel device comprising:
 a closed-loop tunnel that forms a generally rectangular path; 
 a fan positioned in the tunnel, the fan configured to circulate air through the closed-loop tunnel; 
 one or more turning vanes positioned in a corner of the tunnel and configured to move between a first position in which the one or more turning vanes permit re-circulation of air through the tunnel and a second position in which the one or more turning vanes inhibit re-circulation of air through the tunnel; 
 a supply duct selectively in fluid communication with the tunnel; and 
 an exhaust duct selectively in fluid communication with the tunnel; 
 wherein the supply duct is configured to supply air to the tunnel and the exhaust duct is configured to permit air to flow out of the tunnel via the fan in response to the one or more turning vanes being moved to the second position. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more turning vanes define a curved contour configured to direct air around a corner of the closed loop tunnel. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the supply duct is coupled with a first exterior wall of the corner; and 
 the exhaust duct is coupled with a second exterior wall of the corner such that the one or more turnings vanes are arranged to extend between the supply duct and the exhaust duct. 
 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more turning vanes comprise multiple rotating vanes spaced intermittently along a diagonal line from a first end of the corner to a second end of the corner. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 4 , wherein in the second position, adjacent vanes of the multiple rotating vanes are configured to form an air-tight seal with each other to inhibit re-circulation of air through the tunnel. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 4 , wherein in the second position, adjacent vanes of the multiple rotating vanes are configured to overlap each other. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 4 , wherein in the first position, the multiple rotating vanes are positioned to reduce wind resistance and direct airflow around the corner. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 4 , wherein in the first position, the multiple rotating vanes include an arcuate shape configured to reduce wind resistance and direct air around the corner. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the position of the one or more turning vanes is controlled via a computer. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the supply duct is selectively in fluid communication with the tunnel via one or more dampers biased toward a closed position and configured to open to supply air to the tunnel in response to the one or more turning vanes being moved to the second position. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature control unit positioned at least partially in the tunnel;
 wherein the supply duct is in fluid communication with the tunnel between the one or more turning vanes and the temperature control unit. 
 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the exhaust duct is selectively in fluid communication with the tunnel via one or more dampers biased toward a closed position and configured to open to permit air to flow out of the tunnel in response to the one or more turning vanes being moved to the second position. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the exhaust duct is in fluid communication with the tunnel between the fan and the one or more turning vanes. 
     
     
       14. A method of operating a wind tunnel comprising:
 re-circulating air through a tunnel via a fan positioned in the tunnel; 
 moving one or more turning vanes positioned in a corner of the tunnel from a first position in which the one or more turning vanes permit re-circulation of air through the tunnel to a second position in which the one or more turning vanes inhibit re-circulation of air through the tunnel; 
 supplying air to the tunnel via a supply duct in response to the one or more turning vanes being moved to the second position; and 
 permitting air to flow out of the tunnel via an exhaust duct in response to the one or more turning vanes being moved to the second position. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising forming an air-tight seal via the one or more turning vanes in the second position to inhibit re-circulation of air through the tunnel. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more turning vanes comprise multiple rotating vanes; and
 further comprising overlapping the multiple rotating vanes in the second position to inhibit re-circulation of air through the tunnel. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 opening one or more dampers associated with the supply duct via the fan to supply air to the tunnel via the supply duct in response to the one or more turning vanes being moved to the second position; and 
 opening one or more dampers associated with the exhaust duct via the fan to permit air to flow out of the tunnel via the exhaust duct in response to the one or more turning vanes being moved to the second position. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the tunnel forms a rectangular path. 
     
     
       19. A method of operating a wind tunnel comprising:
 operating the wind tunnel as a closed-loop wind tunnel in which air is re-circulated through the wind tunnel via a fan positioned in the wind tunnel and air is directed around a corner of the wind tunnel via turning vanes adapted to minimize fluid resistance at the corner; 
 rotating the turning vanes to seal the corner of the wind tunnel to inhibit re-circulation of air through the wind tunnel; and 
 operating the wind tunnel as an open-return wind tunnel in which air enters the wind tunnel via a supply duct and exits the wind tunnel via an exhaust duct. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , further comprising opening one or more dampers associated with the supply duct and the exhaust duct via the fan in response to rotating the turning vanes.